Silvana Rc 72 Watch – "racing" Mechanical Chronograph – Valjoux 7733 – Circa 1970
Artist: Silvana
Men's chronograph wristwatch by the Swiss maker Silvana, model RC 72, produced in the early 1970s.
The watch features an imposing cushion-shaped case with the smooth, generous lines characteristic of the aesthetic shift that defined sports watchmaking at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s.
Its main highlight is a remarkable silver dial with a "bicompax" layout, perfectly capturing the "racing" aesthetic of the era.
The two black circular sub-dials are linked by a wide horizontal panel of the same color, creating a highly graphic central composition that directly evokes automotive dashboard instrumentation. This inspiration is further emphasized by the large central chronograph hand, finished in a vivid orange—a color frequently associated with the sports and automotive world of the 1970s.
The sub-dial at 9 o'clock displays the running seconds, while the one at 3 o'clock records elapsed chronograph minutes (up to 30 minutes). The large central orange hand indicates the seconds when the chronograph is in use.
The dial's outer rim features a tachymeter scale—graduated from 1000 to 60—allowing the wearer to calculate average speed over a known distance using the chronograph function. This functional element further reinforces the watch's automotive and sporty character.
The dial is accented with applied metal hour markers and baton-style hands. It bears the inscriptions "SILVANA – RC 72" at 12 o'clock, "INCABLOC – 17 JEWELS" in the lower section, and "SWISS MADE" at 6 o'clock.
The watch is powered by the renowned Valjoux 7733—a Swiss manual-wind mechanical chronograph movement featuring 17 jewels and an Incabloc shock-protection system. Introduced in the late 1960s and produced throughout the 1970s, the Valjoux 7733 is one of the iconic manual-winding chronograph calibers of that generation. Measuring 31 mm in diameter and 6 mm in height, it operates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. Its chronograph mechanism is cam-actuated, utilizing two pushers to control the start/stop and reset functions.
Its configuration accounts for the dial's remarkably balanced layout: a running small-seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, a chronograph minute counter at 3 o'clock, and a central chronograph seconds hand. Specialist literature dates the production of the Valjoux 7733 to between 1969 and 1978, aligning perfectly with the distinctive design of this Silvana model.
The RC 72 model is well-documented among 1970s Silvana chronographs, characterized by the combination of a striking, sporty dial and the Valjoux 7733 caliber. A reference source dedicated to watches from that decade specifically lists the "Silvana Crono RC72," equipped with the Valjoux 7733.
Silvana holds a place in the long history of Swiss watchmaking. The first watches bearing the name appeared as early as 1898 in the Swiss Jura region, and the *Manufacture d'Horlogerie Silvana SA* was established in Tramelan-Dessus in 1922. Following significant international expansion, the brand joined the *Société des Garde-Temps* in 1968—a watchmaking consortium that, by the early 1970s, had become the third-largest Swiss watch exporter. It is precisely within this particularly fertile context for the Swiss mechanical chronograph that the RC 72 finds its place. Indeed, chronographs were among Silvana's many specialties, alongside jumping-hour watches, dive watches, ultra-thin models, and "Cricket" alarm watches.
More than just a chronograph, this Silvana is a superb example of sporty watch design from the early 1970s—a period when the worlds of watchmaking and motoring shared particularly close aesthetic ties.
Its cushion-shaped case, silver dial with black accents, bicompax layout, tachymeter scale, and—above all—its striking orange chronograph hand give it an instantly recognizable identity and a presence characteristic of that generation of chronographs.
Valjoux 7733 manual-wind mechanical movement – 17 jewels – two-register chronograph – small seconds – 30-minute counter – central chronograph seconds – tachymeter scale – Incabloc shock protection – steel case – black leather strap.
Swiss-made, circa 1970.
Presented in perfect, serviced condition; its proper functioning is guaranteed by us for one year (excluding damage from impact or immersion).
Model: RC 72
Reference: RC 72
Year: circa 1970
Movement: manual-wind mechanical
Caliber: Valjoux 7733, 17 jewels
Escapement: lever
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, 30-minute counter, tachymeter scaleDial: Original, silver and black, "racing" style, applied baton hour markers, two subdials, central orange chronograph hand, peripheral tachymeter scale
Dial: Original, silver and black, "racing" style, applied baton hour markers, two subdials, central orange chronograph hand, peripheral tachymeter scale
Case: Steel, cushion-shaped
Strap: Black leather, spring bars
Buckle: Tang buckle, steel (replaced)
Crystal: Plexiglas
Shock protection: Incabloc
Payment can be made entirely online via the website.
We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding alternative payment methods.
Are you a professional? We invite you to contact us directly at the boutique!
Our reference: ES5956
The watch features an imposing cushion-shaped case with the smooth, generous lines characteristic of the aesthetic shift that defined sports watchmaking at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s.
Its main highlight is a remarkable silver dial with a "bicompax" layout, perfectly capturing the "racing" aesthetic of the era.
The two black circular sub-dials are linked by a wide horizontal panel of the same color, creating a highly graphic central composition that directly evokes automotive dashboard instrumentation. This inspiration is further emphasized by the large central chronograph hand, finished in a vivid orange—a color frequently associated with the sports and automotive world of the 1970s.
The sub-dial at 9 o'clock displays the running seconds, while the one at 3 o'clock records elapsed chronograph minutes (up to 30 minutes). The large central orange hand indicates the seconds when the chronograph is in use.
The dial's outer rim features a tachymeter scale—graduated from 1000 to 60—allowing the wearer to calculate average speed over a known distance using the chronograph function. This functional element further reinforces the watch's automotive and sporty character.
The dial is accented with applied metal hour markers and baton-style hands. It bears the inscriptions "SILVANA – RC 72" at 12 o'clock, "INCABLOC – 17 JEWELS" in the lower section, and "SWISS MADE" at 6 o'clock.
The watch is powered by the renowned Valjoux 7733—a Swiss manual-wind mechanical chronograph movement featuring 17 jewels and an Incabloc shock-protection system. Introduced in the late 1960s and produced throughout the 1970s, the Valjoux 7733 is one of the iconic manual-winding chronograph calibers of that generation. Measuring 31 mm in diameter and 6 mm in height, it operates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. Its chronograph mechanism is cam-actuated, utilizing two pushers to control the start/stop and reset functions.
Its configuration accounts for the dial's remarkably balanced layout: a running small-seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, a chronograph minute counter at 3 o'clock, and a central chronograph seconds hand. Specialist literature dates the production of the Valjoux 7733 to between 1969 and 1978, aligning perfectly with the distinctive design of this Silvana model.
The RC 72 model is well-documented among 1970s Silvana chronographs, characterized by the combination of a striking, sporty dial and the Valjoux 7733 caliber. A reference source dedicated to watches from that decade specifically lists the "Silvana Crono RC72," equipped with the Valjoux 7733.
Silvana holds a place in the long history of Swiss watchmaking. The first watches bearing the name appeared as early as 1898 in the Swiss Jura region, and the *Manufacture d'Horlogerie Silvana SA* was established in Tramelan-Dessus in 1922. Following significant international expansion, the brand joined the *Société des Garde-Temps* in 1968—a watchmaking consortium that, by the early 1970s, had become the third-largest Swiss watch exporter. It is precisely within this particularly fertile context for the Swiss mechanical chronograph that the RC 72 finds its place. Indeed, chronographs were among Silvana's many specialties, alongside jumping-hour watches, dive watches, ultra-thin models, and "Cricket" alarm watches.
More than just a chronograph, this Silvana is a superb example of sporty watch design from the early 1970s—a period when the worlds of watchmaking and motoring shared particularly close aesthetic ties.
Its cushion-shaped case, silver dial with black accents, bicompax layout, tachymeter scale, and—above all—its striking orange chronograph hand give it an instantly recognizable identity and a presence characteristic of that generation of chronographs.
Valjoux 7733 manual-wind mechanical movement – 17 jewels – two-register chronograph – small seconds – 30-minute counter – central chronograph seconds – tachymeter scale – Incabloc shock protection – steel case – black leather strap.
Swiss-made, circa 1970.
Presented in perfect, serviced condition; its proper functioning is guaranteed by us for one year (excluding damage from impact or immersion).
Model: RC 72
Reference: RC 72
Year: circa 1970
Movement: manual-wind mechanical
Caliber: Valjoux 7733, 17 jewels
Escapement: lever
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, 30-minute counter, tachymeter scaleDial: Original, silver and black, "racing" style, applied baton hour markers, two subdials, central orange chronograph hand, peripheral tachymeter scale
Dial: Original, silver and black, "racing" style, applied baton hour markers, two subdials, central orange chronograph hand, peripheral tachymeter scale
Case: Steel, cushion-shaped
Strap: Black leather, spring bars
Buckle: Tang buckle, steel (replaced)
Crystal: Plexiglas
Shock protection: Incabloc
Payment can be made entirely online via the website.
We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding alternative payment methods.
Are you a professional? We invite you to contact us directly at the boutique!
Our reference: ES5956
1 500 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Other Style
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Other
Length: 4,27 cm avec les cornes / 3,58 sans
Width: 4,30 cm avec la couronne / 4,02 cm sans
Height: épaisseur de la boîte: 1,26 cm
Reference (ID): 1828525
Availability: In stock
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